5 Habits for Easy Vegan Weight Loss: How I Lost 20 lbs — Women's Academy of Transformation (2024)

Going vegan five years ago changed my life for the better. My skin cleared up and it improved her hormonal health issues. But the transition wasn't smooth sailing as I started to gain weight and feel bloated. This prompted me to try a variety of diets such as vegan keto, fruitarian, and Raw Till 4, but none of these worked for me in the long run.

I'm Jessica Karwat and I am a vegan health coach for women and menstrual cycle expert. Today, I want to share my story and the five habits that helped me achieve easy vegan weight loss. After becoming a vegan nutritionist I realised that my carbohydrate and fiber intake was the root cause of my weight gain and bloating. This led me to implement five habits that helped me shed 20 pounds and maintain a healthy weight.

Here are the five habits:

  1. Consuming enough vegan protein

    Vegan protein is an important component in weight loss because it provides the body with the necessary nutrients to build and repair muscle tissue, without adding excessive amounts of fat and calories.

    This type of protein also helps to keep you feeling full and satisfied for longer, reducing the urge to snack on unhealthy options.

    By incorporating a variety of vegan protein sources into your diet, you can help to support a healthy weight loss journey and achieve your goals in a nutritious and sustainable way.

    Good vegan protein sources such as tofu, tempeh, seitan, textured vegetable protein, protein powder, and bean pasta. These foods should be the primary source of protein in a vegan diet.

  2. Eat enough Fruit and Vegetables

    Eating enough fruit and vegetables is important for weight loss because they are nutrient-dense, low in calories, and high in fiber. These foods provide essential vitamins and minerals that support a healthy metabolism and weight management.

    Additionally, fiber-rich fruits and vegetables help you feel full, reducing your overall calorie intake and promoting weight loss. They also contain antioxidants and phytochemicals that support overall health, including healthy digestion and blood sugar control.

    By incorporating plenty of fruits and vegetables into your diet, you can support a healthy weight and a balanced, nutritious eating pattern.

  3. Make sure your meals are balanced!

    Eating a balanced meal consisting of protein, carbohydrates, and fats is important for weight loss because it helps to ensure that your body is receiving the necessary nutrients it needs to function properly.

    Protein is important for building and repairing muscle tissue, while carbohydrates provide energy and fiber to help you feel full and satisfied. Fats, although often considered unhealthy, play a crucial role in hormone production and overall health.

    By consuming a balanced meal, you can prevent overeating, maintain stable blood sugar levels, and support overall metabolism, all of which are key factors in promoting weight loss and preventing weight gain. Furthermore, consuming a balanced meal can also help you feel more satisfied and prevent the urge to reach for unhealthy snacks or overeat at mealtime.

  4. 80/20 Rule

    The 80/20 rule of eating is a popular concept in healthy eating and weight loss. This rule suggests that 80% of one's diet should consist of nutritious, whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, while 20% can be dedicated to indulging in "happiness" foods that may be higher in calories or less nutritious. This balance allows for both adequate nutrition and the flexibility to enjoy favorite treats in moderation.

    Adhering to this rule can lead to sustainable weight loss as it promotes mindful eating habits and prevents feelings of deprivation or restriction. Additionally, consuming a diet rich in nutrient-dense foods can help to control hunger, regulate metabolism, and support overall health, making it easier to stick to the diet long-term.

  5. Create a list of easy vegan recipes

    Having a list of favorite recipes to cook throughout the week is a beneficial strategy for weight loss because it promotes healthy and consistent eating habits. Having a plan in place helps to eliminate the chance of making impulsive, unhealthy food choices, as well as reduces the amount of time spent figuring out what to make for each meal. Cooking at home also allows for greater control over the ingredients used, making it easier to prepare nutritious and calorie-controlled meals.

    By having a variety of healthy, tasty recipes on hand, you are more likely to stick to your weight loss goals and maintain a healthy diet in the long-term. This type of planning helps create a sustainable and enjoyable approach to eating, leading to a successful weight loss journey.

If you’d like to learn more about how to lose weight on a vegan diet and keep it off, make sure you check out my Podcast, the Plantiful Goddess Podcast here

5 Habits for Easy Vegan Weight Loss: How I Lost 20 lbs — Women's Academy of Transformation (2024)

FAQs

5 Habits for Easy Vegan Weight Loss: How I Lost 20 lbs — Women's Academy of Transformation? ›

Vegan diet to lose weight

Studies have shown that a vegan diet can reduce your weight by an average of 5.6 pounds in 18 weeks, or less or more than a third of a pound per week!

How to lose 20 pounds on a vegan diet? ›

Losing Weight on a Plant-Based, Vegan Diet: Tips for Success
  1. Master the Concept of Calorie Density.
  2. Cut Out Added Oil.
  3. Load Half Your Plate With Nonstarchy Veggies.
  4. Avoid Liquid Calories.
  5. Eat Lots of Fiber-Rich Foods.
  6. Watch Out for Vegan Junk Foods.
  7. Get Moving.
Nov 7, 2019

How much weight can you lose in a month on a plant-based diet? ›

Vegan diet to lose weight

Studies have shown that a vegan diet can reduce your weight by an average of 5.6 pounds in 18 weeks, or less or more than a third of a pound per week!

How to lose belly fat vegan? ›

Fiber-rich, gut-friendly foods like legumes, avocados, potatoes and berries could all help reduce visceral fat and opting for at least one vegan meal each day will assist you in ramping up your fiber intake with ease—along with complex carbs, healthy fats and other essential nutrients.

What foods help you lose weight vegan? ›

Tips for losing weight on a vegan diet

Focus on Whole Foods: Encourage individuals to prioritize whole, unprocessed plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.

Is peanut butter vegan? ›

The bottom line. Most types of peanut butter are free of animal products and can be enjoyed as part of a vegan diet. However, some varieties are made in facilities that also process animal products or contain refined sugar that was produced using bone char or non-vegan ingredients like honey or fish oil.

What snacks are vegan? ›

Try These Popular Vegan Snacks (Chips, Cookies, and More)
  • Vegan Rob's Chips.
  • Rivalz Extra Chedda' Mac.
  • Outstanding Foods PigOut Pigless Pork Rinds.
  • Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars—Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate.
  • Trader Joe's Almond Butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets.

How did Kelly Clarkson lose her weight? ›

Kelly Clarkson's Weight Loss Journey: How She Lost 37 Pounds—And Counting—By Eating Protein And Walking. She hit the Grammys red carpet in February looking as confident as ever. Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in.

How can I drop 20 pounds fast? ›

Here are the 10 best ways to quickly and safely drop 20 pounds.
  1. Count calories. ...
  2. Drink more water. ...
  3. Increase your protein intake. ...
  4. Reduce your refined carb consumption. ...
  5. Start lifting weights. ...
  6. Eat more fiber. ...
  7. Follow a sleep schedule. ...
  8. Add cardio to your routine.

What is the downside of a plant-based diet? ›

Some studies have shown that those on a plant-based diet are found to have lower plasma vitamin B12 levels and higher levels of vitamin B12 deficiency than those who consume animal products. Vitamin B12 is an important cofactor in DNA synthesis, and deficiency can lead to anemia and severe neurological dysfunction.

What vegan foods are high in protein for weight loss? ›

Some plant-based foods, such as soybean products, seitan, beans, and lentils contain high amounts of protein. You can also find protein in nuts, whole grains like quinoa and amaranth, and hemp seeds. People following a vegan diet may need to plan in order to reach their daily protein goals.

Is oatmeal good for weight loss? ›

Consuming oats containing beta-glucan for 12 weeks can also lead to reductions in BMI, body fat, and waist-to-hip ratio, according to a study in Plant Foods For Human Nutrition. (That said, measures like BMI aren't necessarily the best indicators of metabolic health, and results will vary for everyone).

What foods burn fat crazy? ›

12 Metabolism-Boosting Foods to Aid Weight Loss
  • Fish & Shellfish. Metabolism-Boosting Powers: Fish (salmon, tuna, sardines and mackerel) are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and protein. ...
  • Legumes (Also known as beans) ...
  • Chili Peppers. ...
  • Lean Meats. ...
  • Low-Fat Milk. ...
  • Broccoli. ...
  • Lentils. ...
  • Oatmeal.

What bread is vegan? ›

Vegans can eat bread that does not contain animal products or byproducts. This includes breads that only use some variation on flour, water, yeast, and salt including ciabatta, baguette, focaccia, sourdough, pita, and ezekiel breads.

How to start on a vegan diet? ›

  1. Make Vegetables the Stars of Your Meals. ...
  2. Eat a Variety of Foods. ...
  3. Choose Whole Grains. ...
  4. Discover New Plant-Based Proteins. ...
  5. Don't Assume Vegan Food Products Are Healthier. ...
  6. Focus On Fish-Free Omega-3s. ...
  7. Don't Forget About Vitamin D. ...
  8. Pump Up Your Iron.
Sep 30, 2022

Is it harder for vegans to lose weight? ›

Going vegan leads to reducing the number of high-calorie foods you eat, because sometimes you end up replacing high-calorie foods with high-fiber foods, which have fewer calories and keep you full longer. Many studies have shown that vegan diets are much more effective for weight loss than other diets.

Is it hard to lose weight on a vegan diet? ›

A new study finds that following a plant-based diet is more associated with weight loss for overweight adults than a standard omnivorous diet. It also concludes that the quality of such a diet makes a difference when it comes to how much weight is lost.

How much weight can you lose going vegan for a month? ›

Eating a vegan diet is associated with a decreased risk of diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer. This vegan weight loss meal plan also sets you up to lose a healthy 1 to 2 pounds per week.

How long does it take to lose 20 pounds naturally? ›

That said, many healthy weight-loss guidelines say you should aim to lose one or two pounds per week (whether you have five or 50 pounds to lose), that means it could take anywhere from 10 to 20 weeks to lose 20 pounds. That may seem like a while, but it's better to go slow.

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